Description
A creamy and hearty pasta dish that combines tender pasta with a rich, cheesy sauce and the zesty kick of Rotel tomatoes, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni or your favorite pasta
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: ½ cup corn for a touch of sweetness
- Optional: Chopped green onions or cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Start by cooking the pasta. In a large pot of salted boiling water, add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water for later.
- While the pasta cooks, take a large skillet and brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up into smaller pieces with a spatula. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Once the beef is fully cooked, drain excess grease if necessary. Add in the diced tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, and beef broth. Stir until well combined until the mixture looks rich and creamy.
- Add the drained macaroni to the skillet and stir until evenly coated. If the mixture seems thick, add reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
- Lower the heat and fold in the shredded cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt and create a creamy texture. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- If using corn, toss it in and stir until heated through.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions or cilantro if desired.
Notes
Consider using ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. Incorporating more veggies like bell peppers or zucchini increases nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg